Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that targets nuclear peroxisomal proliferator activated receptors, members of the super family of ligand activated transcription factors. Specifically, thiazolidinediones bind to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and affect transcription factors that influence expression of genes responsible for the production of proteins important in carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism. These include increases in glucose transporters 1 and 4 resulting in enhanced peripheral glucose utilization by fat and skeletal muscle.